Caladium plant named &#39;UF-48-5&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  caladium  named ‘UF-48-5’, uniquely characterized by large heart-shaped leaves, a bright pink leaf face, pink veins, and a white background, and demonstrated to produce attractive pot plants when tubers are forced in containers and to produce attractive plants in outdoor shady landscape sites, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Caladium×hortulanum

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘UF-48-5’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium×hortulanum, commercially referredto as a strap leaf-type or lance leaf-type and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘UF-48-5’.

Caladiums [Caladium×hortulanum Birdsey, Araceae Juss.] are ornamentalaroids valued for their bright colorful leaves. They are commonly usedas container and landscape plants. Pink cultivars have been very popularand the most popular pink cultivars have been ‘Carolyn Whorton’, ‘FannieMunson’, and ‘White Queen’ (Bell et al., 1998; Deng et al., 2008). Theyranked No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4, respectively, in acreage (or popularity)according to a 2003 survey of the caladium cultivars commercially grownin Florida, where more than 95% of the caladium tubers used in the worldare produced (Bell et al., 1998; Deng et al., 2008). Recently, thesecultivars have been found rather susceptible to Pythium root rot andFusarium tuber rot, the two most important fungal diseases in caladiumtuber production (Deng et al., 2005; Goktepe et al., 2007). Thus,developing new pink cultivars is an important breeding objective.

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of caladium plantnamed ‘UF-48-5’. ‘UF-48-5’ originated from a cross conducted in 2000 inBradenton, Fla. between the female parent ‘Red Flash’ (unpatented) andthe male parent ‘Candidum Junior’ (unpatented). ‘Red Flash’ was usedbecause of its plant vigor, excellent performance in large containersand landscapes, large tubers, large plants, large leaves, and toleranceto sunburn. ‘Candidum Junior’ (unpatented) was selected because of itsattractive coloration pattern of netted green veins and bright whiteface and desirable growth habit when grown in containers. A single plantwas selected in 2001 for further asexual propagation and evaluation.

‘UF-48-5’ was first asexually propagated via tubers in 2002 inBradenton, Fla. Field and pot studies in Bradenton, Fla. between 2001and 2005 and in Wimauma, Fla. since 2005 have shown that the uniquefeatures of ‘UF-48-5’ are stable and reproduce true to type insuccessive generations of asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for.‘UF-48-5’ has not been made publicly available more than one year priorto the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new caladium cultivar ‘UF-48-5’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. Its phenotype may vary somewhat withvariation in the environment such as light intensity and temperature.

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bradenton, Fla.

1. Large heart-shaped leaves;

2. Unique leaf coloration pattern of a bright pink leaf face, pinkveins, and a white background; and

3. Produces attractive plants with improved performance in containersand in outdoor shady landscape sites.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of‘UF-48-5’. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonable obtained byconventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photographs maydiffer slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription which accurately describe the colors of ‘UF-48-5’. Thephotographs were taken on seven-week-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘UF-48-5’grown from one de-eyed No. 1 tuber (left) or from one intact(non-de-eyed) tuber in a container in a shadehouse.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a typical plant of the seedparent ‘Red Flash’ (left), ‘UF-48-5’ (center), and the pollen parentTandidum Junior' (right) grown in a shadehouse.

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘Kathleen’(unpatented; left) and ‘UF-48-5’ (right) grown in a shadehouse.

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘FloridaFantasy’ (unpatented; left) and ‘UF-48-5’ (right) grown in a shadehouse.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘UF-48-5’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Wimauma, Fla. duringthe summer of 2011 on plants grown in a polypropylene-covered shadehouseand on plants grown in ground beds in Wimauma, Fla. during the latesummer of 2011 in an outdoor nursery. All plants were grown in 20.3 cmcontainers under conditions and practices which approximate thosegenerally used in commercial Caladium production. Plants grown in theshadehouse were about eight weeks from planting tubers when thephotographs and the detailed description were taken. Plants grown in theoutdoor nursery were about fourteen weeks from planting tuber pieceswhen the photographs and the detailed description were taken. Colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(R.H.S.) (1986 edition), except where general terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Araceae.        -   Botanical.—Caladium×hortulanum.        -   Common.—Caladium.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female.—‘Red Flash’ (unpatented).        -   Male.—‘Candidum Junior’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Asexual propagation by tubers and by tuber divisions.-   Tuber description:    -   -   Color.—Epidermis: RHS 200C and RHS 200D (Brown) with areas            of RHS 165A (Greyed-orange) Interior: RHS 10C (Yellow) and            meristem of RHS 10A (Yellow).        -   Time to develop roots and sprout.—Spring (−15° C. night to            29° C. day): Approximately 2 to 3 weeks Summer (−21° C.            night to 35° C. day): Approximately 7 to 10 days.-   Root description: Dense, thick and white fleshy roots-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Herbaceous perennial.        -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright to spreading; leaf petioles            arising from tubers are mostly upright and curve outwardly            with development.        -   Height (shadehouse-grown plants).—From soil to top of leaf            plane: Approximately 31.0 cm to 42.0 cm From soil to top of            inflorescences: Approximately 52.0 cm.        -   Height (outdoor nursery-grown plants).—From soil to top of            leaf plane: 34.0 cm to 44.0 cm From soil to top of            inflorescences: 43.0 cm.        -   Diameter (shadehouse-grown plants).—Approximately 74.0 cm to            64.0 cm.        -   Diameter (outdoor nursery-grown plants).—Approximately 57.0            cm to 66.0 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size (shadehouse-grown plants).—Length: Approximately 22.0            cm to 34.0 cm Width (flattened): Approximately 16.0 cm to            27.0 cm.        -   Size (outdoor nursery-grown plants).—Length: Approximately            25.0 cm to 30.0 cm Width (flattened): Approximately 16.0 cm            to 17.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate, peltate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate to acute.        -   Base.—Cordate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Venation pattern.—Palmate-pinnate.        -   Color (shadehouse grown plants).—Developing and fully            expanded leaves (upper surface): Center: RHS 54B to RHS 54C            (Red) with blotches of RHS 155D (White) and veins of RHS            147A (Yellow-green) and a streak of RHS 53D (Red) from basal            notch to sinus Border and margins: RHS 147A (Yellow-green)            with very small blotches of RHS 155D (White) Basal notch:            RHS 54A (Red) Venation of midrib and primary veins: RHS 54B            (Red) that fades to RHS 183A (Greyed-purple) with bleeding            around the veins of RHS 54C (Red) Developing and fully            expanded leaves (lower surface): Center: RHS 55A to RHS 55B            (Red) with veins of RHS 191A (Greyed-green) and blotches of            RHS 155A (White) and a streak of RHS 53C (Red) from basal            notch to sinus Border and margins: RHS 191A (Greyed-green)            Venation: Midrib: RHS 36B (Red) Primary: RHS 194A to RHS            194B (Greyed-green) Netted veins: RHS 191A (Greyed-green).        -   Color (outdoor nursery-grown plants).—Developing leaves            (upper surface): Center: RHS 54A and 54B (Red) with numerous            blotches and speckling of RHS 155B (White) and a streak of            RHS 53B (Red) from basal notch to sinus Border and margins:            RHS 147A (Yellow-green) Venation: Midrib: RHS 53D (Red)            Primary: RHS 53A (Red) Developing leaves (lower surface):            Center: RHS 63A and RHS 63C (Red-purple) and blotches of RHS            158B (yellow-white) and a streak of RHS 53C (Red) from basal            notch to sinus Border and margins: RHS 191A (Greyed-green)            Venation: Midrib: RHS 36D (Red) Primary: RHS 157B            (Green-white) with a thin center of RHS 194A (Greyed-green)            Fully expanded leaves (upper surface): Center: RHS 55B to            RHS 55C (Red) with blotches of RHS 158D (Yellow-white) and            speckling of RHS 155A (White) with a streak of RHS 53B (Red)            from basal notch to sinus Border and margins: RHS 147A            (Green) with speckling of RHS 155A (White) Venation: Midrib:            RHS 54B (Red) Primary and secondary veins: RHS 53D (Red)            Netted veins: RHS 147A (Green) Fully expanded leaves (lower            surface): Center: RHS 63C (Red-purple) with blotches of RHS            158B (Yellow-white) and a streak of RHS 53C (Red) from basal            notch to sinus Border and margins: RHS 191A (Greyed-green)            Venation: Midrib: RHS 36D (Red) Primary: RHS 157B            (Green-white) with a center of RHS 191B (Greyed-green) and            Netted veins: RHS 194A (Greyed-green).-   Petiole:    -   -   Aspect.—Mostly erect, curving outwardly beyond containers.        -   Strength.—Strong; flexible.        -   Shadehouse-grown plants.—Length: Approximately 29.0 cm to            39.0 cm Diameter (distal): Approximately 5.0 mm Diameter            (proximal): Approximately 9.0 mm Color: Distal: RHS 182D            (Greyed-red) Proximal: RHS 182C (Greyed-red) with streaks of            RHS 200B (Brown) Wing: Length: Approximately 4.0 cm to 6.5            cm Diameter: Approximately 5.0 mm to 7.0 mm Color: RHS 182C            to 182D (Greyed-red) with streaks of RHS 200B (Brown).        -   Outdoor nursery-grown plants.—Length: Approximately 32.0 cm            to 40.0 cm Diameter (distal): Approximately 4.5 mm Diameter            (proximal): Approximately 9.0 mm Color (proximal): RHS 182D            (Greyed-red) with streaks of RHS 200B (Brown) Wing: Length:            Approximately 7.0 cm Diameter: Approximately 7.0 mm Color:            RHS 196D (Greyed-green) with streaks of RHS 200B (Brown).-   Inflorescence (data taken only on shadehouse-grown plants):    -   -   Arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes surrounding a columnar            spadix borne on a tall upright scape. Spadix with sessile,            simple female and male flowers separated into two zones.            Female flowers arranged on the lower one-third of the            spadix; male flowers arranged on the upper two-thirds of the            spadix. Sterile flowers develop between female and male            flower zones; near this area, the spathe constricts            surrounding the female flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Natural flowering season/longevity.—Spring or early summer            in central Florida.        -   Lastingness of inflorescences.—Approximately three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.-   Spathe:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 cm.        -   Width (distal).—Approximately 5.0 cm.        -   Width (proximal).—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.        -   Base.—Tapering.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Upper two-thirds: RHS 155B (White)            becoming closer to RHS 199D (Brown) with development Lower            one-third: RHS 143B (Green) with streaks of RHS 145C            (Yellow-green) Lower surface: Upper two-thirds: RHS 157B            (Green-white) Lower one-third: RHS 144B (Yellow-green) with            RHS 187B (Greyed purple) at base.-   Spadix:    -   -   Length.—Entire spadix: Approximately 11.5 cm Male flower            zone: Approximately 7.0 cm Sterile flower zone:            Approximately 1.8 cm Female flower zone: Approximately 2.7            cm.        -   Diameter.—Male flower zone: Approximately 12.0 mm Sterile            flower zone: Approximately 8.2 mm Female flower zone:            Approximately 11.5 mm.        -   Shape.—Spindle-shaped to columnar.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Color.—Male zone (mature): RHS 158B (Yellow-white) Sterile            zone (mature): RHS 158D (Yellow-white) Female zone (mature):            RHS 18D (Yellow-orange).-   Scape:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 31.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 8.7 mm.        -   Strength.—Sturdy, flexible.        -   Aspect.—Erect.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; glaucous.        -   Color.—RHS 173D (Greyed-orange) with numerous short streaks            of RHS 199A (Grey-brown); just below the spathe, RHS 145B            (Yellow-green).-   Seed and fruit: None observed-   Disease/pest resistance: Not observed

COMPARISON OK PARENTAL VARIKTY

‘UF-48-5’ differs from female parent, ‘Red Flash’ (unpatented), byhaving leaves with pink veins and a pink leaf face with whitebackground, whereas the leaves of cultivar ‘Red Flash’ have red veins, ared leaf face with a green background, and pink spots.

‘UF-48-5’ differs from male parent, ‘Candidum Junior’ (unpatented), byhaving leaves with pink veins and a pink leaf face with whitebackground, whereas the leaves of cultivar ‘Candidum Junior’ have greenveins and a white leaf face.

COMPARISON WITH KNOWN CULTIVARS

‘UF-48-5’ can be compared to plants of the cultivar ‘Kathleen’(unpatented). In side-by-side comparisons conducted in a greenhouse inWimauma, Fla., ‘UF-48-5’ differs from ‘Kathleen’ by having a brightlypink-colored leaf center and narrow leaf margins, while ‘Kathleen’ has adull pink-colored leaf center and wide, green leaf margins.

‘UF-48-5’ can also be compared to plants of the cultivar ‘FloridaFantasy’ (unpatented). In side-by-side comparisons conducted in agreenhouse in Wimauma, Fla., ‘UF-48-5’ differs from ‘Florida Fantasy’ inleaf size, leaf coloration pattern, and sunburn tolerance. Leaves of‘UF-48-5’ are much larger than those of ‘Florida Fantasy’, and have alarge pink-colored area covering the leaf center, while the red-pinkcoloration in ‘Florida Fantasy’ is confined to the main veins. Leaves of‘UF-48-5’ are sensitive to sunburns and bleach in color, while leaves of‘Florida Fantasy’ are tolerant of sunburns.

‘UF-48-5’ was evaluated for tuber production and plant performance atthe Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Fla. in 2006and 2007. The soil was an EauGallie fine sand with about 1% organicmatter and pH of 6.2. In 2006, raised ground beds (91 cm wide, 20 cmhigh) were fumigated on 30 March with a mixture of 67% methyl bromideand 33% chloropicrin (by volume) at the rate of 196 kg·ha⁻¹ and coveredwith white-on-black plastic mulch. Caladium seed pieces (tuber pieces,˜2.54 cm×˜2.54 cm×˜2.54 cm) were planted in the beds on 11 April with 15cm spacing between rows and in rows. A constant water table wasmaintained below the beds using the seep irrigation system (Geraldsonet. al, 1965). Osmocote 18N-2.6P-10K 8-9 month controlled releasefertilizer (Scotts Co., Marysville, Ohio) was applied to the bed surfacewhen shoot tips were emerging from the soil with N at 336 kg·ha⁻¹. In2007, the beds (71 cm wide, 21 cm high) were fumigated on 3 April usingthe same fumigant mixture (196 kg·ha ⁻¹). Caladium seed pieces wereplanted on 16 April, with 25.4 cm between-row spacing and 15.2 cm in-rowspacing. A drip irrigation system was used to provide water(approximately 6 mm per day) and 6N-0.8P-3.9K soluble fertilizer with Nat the rate of˜1.9 kg·ha³¹ ¹·d⁻¹ (total N at 290 kg·ha⁻¹ per growingseason).

Field plots were organized in a randomized complete block designconsisting of three replications, and each plot contained 30 propagules.Tubers were dug in December 2006 and January 2008, respectively. Driedtubers were weighed and counted per plot and were then graded by maximumdiameter; No. 2 (2.5 to 3.8 cm), No. 1 (3.8 to 6.4 cm), Jumbo (6.4 to8.9 cm), Mammoth (8.9 to 11.4 cm), and Super Mammoth (>11.4 cm). Theproduction index (PI), an indicator of economic value of the harvestedtubers, was calculated as: N (No. 2)+2N (No. 1)+4N (Jumbo)+6N(Mammoth)+8N (Super Mammoth); where N=number of tubers in each grade. Ananalysis of variance was conducted using the GLM procedure in the SASprogram (SAS Institute, 2009) to compare the performance of ‘UF-48-5’ tothat of three commercial pink-leaved cultivars, ‘Carolyn Whorton’,‘Fannie Munson’, and ‘White Queen’.

Table 1 shows the weight, weight, production index, number, and gradedistribution of five caladium cultivars (2006 and 2007). Valuespresented are means of three replications with 30 propagules planted ina plot.

In 2006, ‘UF-48-5’ tuber weight was 43% to 71% greater and PI was 31% to35% higher than those of ‘Fannie Munson’ and ‘White Queen’ (Table 1). In2007, ‘UF-48-5’, ‘Fannie Munson’ and ‘White Queen’ were similar in tuberweight and marketable tuber number. ‘UF-48-5’ produced larger tubersthan ‘Fannie Munson’ and ‘White Queen’, more tubers in Mammoth (14.7%vs. 3.0 to 3.3%) and in No. 1 (49.7% vs. 25.3 to 43.3%) in 2006. In2007, no significant differences in tuber size distribution wereobserved between ‘UF-48-5’ and these two comparison cultivars. Thesedata indicate that ‘UF-48-5’ is as good as, or better than, ‘FannieMunson’ and ‘White Queen’, in tuber production.

Landscape performance under full-sun conditions was evaluated in 2006and 2007 on the same plots used for evaluating tuber production. Theoverall plant performance was rated on 2 August and 7 September in the2006 growing season and on 26 July, 28 August and 25 September in the2007 growing season, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very poor (fewleaves and lack of vigor), and 5 being excellent (full plants, numerousleaves, and bright color display). At the same time of plant performanceevaluation, leaf sun burn tolerance was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with1 being very susceptible to sun burns and showing numerous sun-damagedareas or holes on leaves and 5 being resistant to sun burns and notshowing any sun-damaged areas. At approximately 4 months after planting,plant height, number of leaves, and foliar characteristics weremeasured.

TABLE 1 Tuber Tuber distribution (%)^(z) Weight Production MarketableSuper Cultivar (kg) index (No.) mammoth Mammoth Jumbo No. 1 No. 2 Year2006 ‘UF-48-5’ 5.3 a 173 a 59.0^(NS) 0^(NS) 14.7 a 25.7 b 49.7 a  9.7 b‘Carolyn Whorton’ 6.0 a 169 a 62.1 2.0 18.7 a 17.7 b 17.3 c 44.7 a‘Fannie Munson’ 3.1 b 132 b 54.5 0  3.0 b 27.7 b 43.3 b 25.3 ab ‘WhiteQueen’ 3.7 b 128 b 47.1 0  3.3 b 46.3 a 25.3 c 25.3 ab Year 2007‘UF-48-5’ 4.4^(NS) 117^(NS) 38.2^(NS) 1.0^(NS) 15.0^(NS) 30.0 ab 38.7 ab15.7 b ‘Carolyn Whorton’ 4.6 123 46.3 1.0 10.0 31.7 ab 23.3 b 34.0 a‘Fannie Munson’ 3.8 108 42.0 0.7  8.3 18.0 b 54.7 a 18.7 ab ‘WhiteQueen’ 4.7 166 50.9 0.7 12.3 42.0 a 34.0 ab 11.3 b ^(z)Tubers graded bymaximum diameter; No. 2 (2.5 to 3.8 cm), No. 1 (3.8 to 6.4 cm), Jumbo(6.4 to 8.9 cm), Mammoth (8.9 to 11.4 cm), and Super Mammoth (>11.4 m).Tuber distribution data (%) were transformed using the formula arcsine[square root (percentage/100)] before analysis of variance and meanseparation. ^(y)The production index is an indicator of economic valueof the crop harvested and is calculated as: N (No. 2) + 2N (No. 1) + 4N(Jumbo) + 6N (Mammoth) + 8N (Super Mammoth), where N = number of tubersin each grade. ^(x)Mean separation within column by Fisher'sleast-significant-difference test at P ≦ 0.05. ^(NS)Not significantlydifferent within column by F test at P = 0.05.

Table 2 shows plant characteristics, performance, and sunburn tolerancefrom planting 2.54 cm caladium tuber propagules in ground beds in fullsun (2006 and 2007). Values presented for plant height, leaf number,length and width are means of three replications with three plantsmeasured per plot per year, while performance and sun burn toleranceratings are means of three replications based on whole plot evaluation.

‘UF-48-5’ was similar to ‘Carolyn Whorton’ in plant height (˜37 cmtall), leaf number (18 to 21), leaf length (27 to 29 cm), and leaf width(17 to 18 cm), but ‘UF-48-5’ was significantly taller than ‘FannieMunson’ and ‘White Queen’ in plant height (Table 2). ‘UF-48-5’ producedsignificantly more leaves than ‘White Queen’ and its leaves were 2 to 5longer than those of ‘Fannie Munson’ or ‘White Queen’. Plant performanceratings of ‘UF-48-5’ were comparable to those of ‘Carolyn Whorton’ inboth 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. ‘UF-48-5’ performed better than‘Fannie Munson’ in both years and also better than ‘White Queen’ in2006. In full sun, leaves of ‘UF-48-5’ did not show any leaf tissuedamages from sunburns (holes or “windows” on leaf blades), but didbleach out and fade into light pink, especially in July and August whensun light levels and air temperatures in Florida were high. As a result,‘UF-48-5’ received lower sunburn tolerance ratings than ‘CarolynWhorton’ and ‘White Queen’ (Table 2). This indicates that ‘UF-48-5’ ismore suited for partially shady locations in landscape use.

TABLE 2 Performance rating^(y) Sun tolerance rating^(x) Plant LeafSeptem- Septem- Septem- Septem- height^(z) number^(z) Length^(z)Width^(z) August ber July August ber August ber July August ber Cultivar(cm) (no.) (cm) (cm) 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007‘UF-48-5’ 36.7 a 18.8 ab 28.5 a 17.7 2.7 a 3.8 a 3.1 a 3.7 a 4.4 3.0 c3.9 b 1.8 c 2.4 d 3.9 c ‘Carolyn 36.5 a 20.6 a 27.0 ab 17.6 2.2 ab 3.2 a3.1 a 3.7 a 4.5 3.8 ab 4.2 ab 3.6 ab 4.3 b 4.3 b Whorton’ ‘Fannie 27.6 b15.7 bc 26.1 b 17.0 1.7 bc 2.5 b 2.1 b 2.7 b 3.5 3.3 bc 4.1 ab 3.3 b 3.9c 4.0 c Munson’ ‘White 28.1 b 13.7 c 24.9 b 17.8 1.0 c 1.2 c 3.3 a 3.5 a3.6 3.8 ab 4.3 a 3.5 b 4.8 a 4.6 a Queen’ ^(z)Data were taken over twogrowing seasons (2006 and 2007), approximately 4 months (August 2006 and2007) after tubers were planted in April each year. ^(y)Plants wererated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very poor, 3 fair andacceptable, and 5 being excellent in plant vigor, fullness, and colordisplay. ^(x)Plants' sun burn tolerance was rated on a scale of 1 to 5,with 1 being very poor, 3 fair and acceptable, and 5 being excellentwithout showing any signs of leaf burns or resulted holes on leafsurfaces. ^(w)Mean separation within columns by Fisher'sleast-significant-difference test at P ≦ 0.05.

Table 3 shows plant performance for caladium cultivars grown from No. 1tubers in 11.4 cm containers in a 45% shaded glasshouse, 2007, Wimauma,Fla. Values represent the means of 10 plants produced from intact orde-eyed No. 1 (3.8 to 6.4 cm in diameter) tubers planted individuallyper container. Data were taken 8 weeks after planting.

The suitability of ‘UF-48-5’ for container forcing was evaluated byforcing tubers in 11.4 cm containers and comparing them to forced plantsof ‘Kathleen’ caladium. No. 1 tubers were planted either intact orde-eyed in a peat/vermiculite mix (VerGro Container Mix A, Verlite,Tampa, Fla.) on 26 Mar. 2007. The study was conducted in a greenhousewith 45% light exclusion during the summer in Wimauma, Fla. Averagedaily temperatures ranged from a low of 16° C. night to 29° C. dayduring the experiment. Potted plants were arranged on metal benches inthe greenhouse in a randomized complete block design with 10replications. Plant height, number of leaves, and foliar characteristicswere recorded 8 weeks after planting.

When intact tubers were planted, ‘UF-48-5’ sprouted in about 31 days,nearly 6 days later than ‘Kathleen’. De-eyed tubers of ‘UF-48-5’sprouted 13 days later than those of ‘Kathleen’ (Table 3). Plants fromintact ‘UF-48-5’ tubers were taller, had less leaves but larger leaves,than ‘Kathleen’, resulting in lower plant quality ratings for plantsproduced in small pots. De-eyed plants of these cultivars were similarin height, but leaf number was less and leaf size larger for ‘UF-48-5’compared to ‘Kathleen’. However, plant quality ratings were higher for‘UF-48-5’ than ‘Kathleen’ due to the striking color and leaf display of‘UF-48-5’. Overall, tuber de-eyeing improved ‘UF-48-5’ plant qualityconsiderably.

TABLE 3 Days to sprout^(z) Plant height (cm) Leaves (no.) Leaf length(cm) Leaf width (cm) Quality rating Cultivar Intact De-eye Intact De-eyeIntact De-eye Intact De-eye Intact De-eye Intact De-eye ‘UF-48-5’ 31.4 a35.8 a 31.6 a 27.7  6.1 b 12.3 b 33.9 a 23.3 a 23.7 a 15.0 a 2.4 b 4.4 a‘Kathleen’ 25.7 b 22.8 b 24.1 b 23.5 13.9 a 20.0 a 19.0 c 14.9 b 12.0 b 8.7 b 3.2 a 3.6 b ^(z)Number of days from planting to the firstunfurled leaf . Mean separation within column by Fisher'sleast-significant-difference test at P ≦ 0.05.

1. A new and distinct variety of caladium plant named ‘UF-48-5’ as shownand described herein.